Karen Brownlee
{{Short description|Ohio State Representative}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{distinguish|Karin Brownlee}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Karen Brownlee
| state_house = Ohio
| state = Ohio
| district = 28th
| term_start = January 1, 2025
| preceded = Jodi Whitted
| birth_date =
| birth_place =
| party = Democratic
| residence =
| spouse = John Brownlee
| children = 3
| education = University of Michigan (BA)
Northern Kentucky University (MSW)
}}
Karen Brownlee is an American social worker and politician who has served as a Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives since 2025. Representing the 28th district, Brownlee's constituency includes the northeastern suburbs of Hamilton County.{{Cite web |title=District 28 |url=https://ohiohouse.gov/districts/28 |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Ohio House of Representatives |language=en}}
Early life and career
Brownlee earned a Bachelor of Art in Russian Language and Literature from the University of Michigan in 1995, and a Master of Social Work from Northern Kentucky University in 2018.{{Cite web |date=2025 |title=Rep. Karen Brownlee Biographical Information |url=https://www.gongwer-oh.com/directories/bio.cfm?nameid=489002&link=bio.cfm?nameid=489002 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Gongwer State Affairs}} She has previously worked as a mental health therapist and clinical trainer.{{Cite web |title=Karen Brownlee Biography |url=https://ohiohouse.gov/members/karen-brownlee/biography |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Ohio House of Representatives |language=en}}
In 2023, Brownlee challenged incumbent Republican Phil Beck for Trustee of Symmes Township, Ohio, losing by a margin of 59.7% to 40.3%.{{Cite web |title=Live Cincinnati and Hamilton County election results - 2023 {{!}} The Enquirer |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/elections/results/local/2023-11-07/39061/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=www.cincinnati.com |language=en}}
Ohio House of Representatives
In 2024, following Ohio’s 2023 redistricting, which moved appointed incumbent Jodi Whitted into the 27th District, Brownlee ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for the open 28th District seat.{{Cite web |last=Wartman |first=Scott |title=Ohio Election 2024: Jenn Giroux (R) vs. Karen Brownlee (D) in Ohio 28th House District. |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2024/10/03/how-auditor-brigid-kellys-death-led-to-an-open-house-seat/75011515007/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=The Enquirer |language=en-US}} She defeated anti-abortion activist Jenn Giroux in the November general election with 55.9% of the vote and was sworn in on January 1, 2025.{{Cite web |title=Ohio House of Representatives District 28 |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Ohio_House_of_Representatives_District_28 |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}} Brownlee currently serves on the Children and Human Services, Community Revitalization, and Health committees.{{Cite web |title=Karen Brownlee Committees |url=https://ohiohouse.gov/members/karen-brownlee/committees |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Ohio House of Representatives |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Members of the Ohio House of Representatives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brownlee, Karen}}
Category:Democratic Party members of the Ohio House of Representatives
Category:21st-century members of the Ohio General Assembly